Dublin club offer kind gesture to attacked ref

No matter what sport you are into, beit GAA, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket or anything, there's one thing that all of those sports need to have games take place; a referee, no ref, no game.

So that's why the story that emerged late on Sunday evening was sickening. Soccer referee, Daniel Sweeney was brutally attacked by what can only be described as thugs after a game that took place between Horseleap United and Mulingar Town.

The attack was so violent, it left him with a broken jaw and fractured eye socket, the matter is currently in the hands of the Gardaí.

Despite the pain he and no doubt his family went through, in an interview, Mr Sweeney said he forgave his attackers.

“To the individuals involved, I bare no animosity whatsoever for what happened, I actually forgive you for what happened.”

“What I would like to see out of this is, is that a referee can go on to a football field and feel safe and be safe.

Mr Sweeney thanked the public for their support in the aftermath of the attack and praised the medical staff for their care and attention.

“I just want to say thank you to all the people who have given messages of support. It has been overwhelming.”

It's natural on a matchday of any sport for shouts of "Ahh ref are you blind" most of the time it's ignored, even by referees, but never would any spectator, player, manager or whoever wish harm on an official who has arrived in good spirit to officiate a game.

In the wake of this, a Dublin club has stepped up and offered a kind gesture to the referee and his family.

St Mochta's in Dublin 15 face rivals Crumlin United in the Senior Division of the Leinster Senior League on Friday night, the former Champions have offered to donate all gate recipts from a big game, with a big crowd expected to Mr Sweeney.

📰 @CMRF_Crumlin will benefit for our gate receipts from Friday’s game thanks to a very generous donation by Referee, Daniel Sweeney who was assaulted last week in Horseleap. https://t.co/NAaTKJy4YT